To establish a coordinated volunteer network, to recruit and maximize the potential of every Marion County citizen through education and training in order to strengthen our ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.

The Marion County Citizen Corps partners with law enforcement, fire and medical personnel, emergency management representatives, volunteer organizations, local officials, business and school district leaders, and the community at large to form the Marion County Citizen Corps Council.

The Marion County Citizen Corps Council programs and affiliate organizations promote activities in our communities to prevent, prepare for and respond to crime, disaster, public health needs and emergencies of all kinds. Marion County Citizen Corps fosters community and family safety in three principal ways: through public education and outreach; through training opportunities, and through volunteer programs that draw on special skills and interests to support first responders, disaster relief organizations, and community safety efforts.

What is Citizen Corps?

How Does Citizen Corps Work?

Following the tragic events on September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush launched USA Freedom Corps to capture the spirit of service that emerged throughout the nation following the terrorist attacks.

Citizen Corps, a vital component of USA Freedom Corps and supported by state and local government officials, was created to coordinate volunteer activities that make our communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. Citizen Corps provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to safeguard their families, homes and communities from threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds.

Fore more information about Citizen Corps, look at the National Citizen Corps Web site:www.citizencorps.gov.

Citizen Corps brings together community leaders to form Citizen Corps Councils. These Councils tailor activities to the community by developing and implementing a local strategy so that every American can participate in homeland security. Citizen Corps promotes community and family safety through outreach efforts in education and training and by encouraging every individual to take part in emergency preparedness and safety activities. Citizen Corps encourages Americans to build a safer, stronger, and better-prepared community.

Administered by the Department of Homeland Security, Citizen Corps represents five programs that provide opportunities for Americans to directly participate in efforts to improve homeland security. These programs include Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), Neighborhood Watch/USA on Watch, Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) and Fire Corps.

About the Five Core Programs

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Programprogram educates and trains citizens in disaster preparation and basic disaster response skills. CERT members offer critical support to first responders, provide immediate assistance to victims and organize spontaneous volunteers at disaster sites.

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Programpromotes practicing and retired medical and public health professionals to volunteer their expertise in surge capacity during large-scale emergencies, as well as for on going community public health needs.

Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS)work to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement by utilizing and training volunteers in police work. Citizen volunteers supplement and support officers by allowing them to concentrate on their primary duties.

The Fire CorpsProgram promotes the use of citizen advocates to enhance the capacity of resource-constrained fire and rescue departments at all levels. Through the use of citizen advocates, Fire Corps creates a vital link between fire services and citizens who want to make a difference in their community.